Previous code

This biotope occurred in previous versions of the classification as:ELR.FR in part - Version: 97.06MLR.R in part - Version: 97.06

Distribution of habitat LR.HLR.FR Robust fucoid and/or red seaweed communities, based on records on the UK Marine Recorder database and EUSeaMap. Red dots represent records on which the biotope is based. Blue dots show other certain records, black dots show records tentatively assigned to this biotope. Yellow areas show level 2 and 3 sublittoral and deep-sea habitats prediced by EUSeaMap within UK waters.

Biotope description

This biotope complex encompasses those seaweeds that are able to tolerate the extreme conditions of very exposed to moderately exposed rocky shores. The physical stresses caused by wave action often results in dwarf forms of the individual seaweeds. The strong holdfasts and short tufts structure of the wracks Fucus distichus and Fucus spiralis f. nana allow these fucoids to survive on extremely exposed shores in the north and north-west (Fdis). Another seaweed able to tolerate the wave-wash is the red seaweed Corallina officinalis, which can form a dense turf on the mid to lower shore (Coff). The wrack Himanthalia elongata occurs on the lower shore and can extend on to moderately exposed shores (Him). The red seaweed Mastocarpus stellatus is common on both exposed and moderately exposed shores, where it may form a dense turf (particularly on vertical or overhanging rock faces, Mas). Very exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral rock can support a pure stand of the red seaweed Palmaria palmata. It is found either as a dense band or in large patches above the main sublittoral fringe (Pal). Exposed to moderately exposed lower eulittoral rock characterised by extensive areas or a distinct band of Osmundeapinnatifida (Osm). Outcrops of fossilised peat in the eulittoral are soft enough to allow a variety of piddocks, such as Barnea candida and Petricola pholadiformis, to bore into them (RPid). This biotope is rare. Other species such as the anemone Halichondria panicea, the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides, the limpet Patella vulgata, the mussel Mytilus edulis and the whelk Nucella lapillus can be present as well, but they are never dominant as in the MusB-complex. There is also a higher number of seaweeds present including the red Palmaria palmata, Lomentaria articulata, Ceramium spp. and the brown seaweeds Laminaria digitata and Fucus serratus. The green seaweeds Enteromorpha intestinalis, Ulva lactuca and Cladophora rupestris are occasionally present.

Situation

This biotope complex is present on extremely exposed to moderately exposed upper to lower shores.

Temporal variation

No temporal variation data available.

Similar biotopes

Not applicable or unknown.

Characterising Species

Taxa

Frequency

Typical Abundance

% Contribution to similarity

Halichondria panicea

O

1

Semibalanus balanoides

F

10

Patella vulgata

C

10

Littorina neglecta

F

1

Nucella lapillus

O

3

Mytilus edulis

O

4

Palmaria palmata

O

3

Corallinaceae

F

4

Corallina officinalis

F

10

Mastocarpus stellatus

F

10

Lomentaria articulata

O

2

Ceramium

O

1

Osmundea pinnatifida

F

6

Laminaria digitata

O

1

Fucus serratus

O

2

Himanthalia elongata

C

11

Enteromorpha

O

3

Ulva

O

2

Ulva

O

2

Cladophora

O

1

Example photographs of biotope

No characteristic photos currently available.
If you are able to provide a photograph of this biotope please contact
email address: comment_[AT SYMBOL]_jncc_DOT_gov_DOT_uk (replace _DOT_ with full stop/period and _[AT SYMBOL]_ with the usual @ symbol)
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Version 15.03 of the classification adds a deep-sea section to version 04.05; therefore superseding version 04.05, 97.06 and 03.02.